Editorial horseshoe: Opportunities for holiday giving abound

Monday

Dec 9, 2013 at 1:00 AM

This week’s editorial horseshoe focuses on a different kind of good news in the community — the multitude of service and volunteer organizations doing valuable work in the Springfield area that are in need of donations, cash or volunteers this time of year.

The list of organizations seeking support is seemingly endless, and there are local charitable groups for most any interest or need. Here are a few with special programs or needs this time of year. Your help can make a big difference.

Friend-in-Deed

The State Journal-Register’s 53-year-old Friend-in-Deed program provides holiday food baskets to needy Springfield-area residents. This year volunteers hope to help 2,500 people put food on the table for the holidays. Cash donations will help ensure recipients find volunteers knocking on their doors with boxes of food in hand the morning of Dec. 23. Donations can be made online at bit.ly/FIDdonate2013 or mailed to FID, P.O. Box 142, Springfield IL 62705-0142.

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army has numerous opportunities to donate and volunteer. People can pick up a tag from any of the agency’s Angel Trees and donate gifts for needy children. Volunteer opportunities exist for Angel Tree volunteers, donation sorters, shoppers to purchase missing tree tag items and people to help with distribution. Volunteers also can ring bells for or donate to The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign. Visit tsaspringfield.org for more information.

Historic sites collections

The Illinois Historic Preservation Agency is accepting donations for the “Warm Our Warriors” program, which provides clothes, non-perishable food and other necessities for families of Illinois men and women serving in the military. Drop boxes can be found at the Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and IHPA’s office at 313 S. Sixth St.

In addition, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, 112 N. Sixth St., is sponsoring an angel tree to support the Ronald McDonald House. Visitors can select an ornament that lists items needed by the house, which provides a free place to stay for families with hospitalized children. Items can be purchased and then returned to the library.

Donations for both will be accepted through Dec. 20.

Animal control

The Friends of Sangamon County Animal Control is a charitable organization formed to help animals at the pound that are in need of a home. The organization is not affiliated with or funded by county government. Cash donations help offset the medical costs and adoption fees for the animals. According to its website, the organization also is in need of collars, leashes, flea and tick medication, pet toys and gas cards. Visit friendsofac.org to learn more.

Tree of Wishes

Fourteen local agencies are collaborating through the Tree of Wishes campaign to provide gifts this holiday season to nearly 1,000 children and adults. Recipients’ wish lists adorn the Tree of Wishes on the lower level Sears wing of White Oaks Mall. Shoppers can select a wish list, purchase the items on the list and return them to volunteers. Participating organizations are Abundant Faith Supportive Services, Brother James Court, Community Child Care Connection, the Family Service Center’s foster care and Compass programs, Helping Hands, The Hope Institute, Lutheran Child and Family Services, Mercy Communities, Mini O’Beirne Crisis Nursery, One Hope United, Sojourn Shelter and Services, Sparc, Springfield Urban League and Villa Healthcare East.

Mini O’Beirne Children’s Holiday Store

The Mini O’Beirne Crisis Nursery hosts an annual holiday children’s store, where kids can shop with the help of volunteers for gifts for family and friends in a variety of price ranges. The event is fun for the community, and it serves as a fundraiser for the agency. Volunteers are needed to be greeters, wrappers and shopping assistants. For those who want to support Mini O’Beirne by shopping, the store is in the Town and Country mall between Chuck E Cheese and Tuesday Morning. It’s open 4 to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. until 5:30 Saturday and noon until 5 p.m. Sunday through Dec. 23.

Information

Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted.
The State Journal-Register ~ Street address: One Copley Plaza (corner of Ninth Street and Capitol Avenue), Springfield, ILMailing address: The State Journal-Register, P.O. Box 219, Springfield, IL 62705-0219 ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service